Stylish with Substance

Photo du Moment from RDujour - Are you a bag head?

Ella M — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:18:18 EDT

Louis Vuitton opened a new fabulous store in London, and RDujour showed some fabulous photos, ineed.

1: Are you a bag head, too?

Bonus, 2 & 3: Walls of purses!!! Ahhhh.

View more photos / news at RDujour.

Louboutins - the shoe porn for women AND men - buy 'em on sale & get comfort tips

Ella M — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 22:02:09 EDT

I've been unable to post & work on launching the blog because all last week I mostly dealt with a computer virus.

Luckily shoes don't get viruses, huh?

Anyway Christian Louboutins have been on sale at TheOutnet.com and we're not too late!!

Also, The Guardian has a great article/interview on/with the designer himself.

On my other blog, Pursed Lips (general fashion/design/also bags), I pointed out a quote that kind of proves Loubs are like lube for men.

Oh, I'm so bad!

Christian Louboutin shoes say one simple word: sex. Everything about them – from their disco styles, to the aggressive thrust of the shoe’s curvature, to the almost pornographic red sole, flashing observers from behind as the lady walks away – shouts sex.

But there is so much more to get from the Guardian piece, like details on not just the design but the design of more engineering aspects of the shoes...

Louboutin starts talking about "the construction of the shoe" and "the direction of the weight" and all the usual noises people make when trying to claim that a high-heeled shoe can be comfortable. But the fact is, no matter what the construction, the woman is hoicked up on her toes. The argument about whether or not high heels empower women is fruitless and, after all this time, a little tired. But even Louboutin seems stumped by the contradiction. When I ask if comfort is an important factor in designing his shoes, he ums and ahs a tad: "It is important because a woman doesn't look good if she's not comfortable. But I wouldn't take it as a compliment if someone looked at one of my shoes and said, 'Oh, that looks like a comfortable shoe'," he says with distinct scorn. When asked if there is such a thing as a too-high heel, he replies, "There is a heel that is too high to walk in, certainly. But who cares? You don't have to walk in high heels."

Yes I do think heels can be comfortable, but not out straight of the box - they need aids. And more important, IMHO, than ball pressure is arches falling. OW! Support them if heels make the mids of your feet kill.

Stay tuned to the blog because I will post a lot on shoe comfort, sans the nurses shoes - don't worry!

So even though "killer" heels have conquered, you can defeat them and turn them into kittens that make your feet purr and still look cute, or sex kittenish.

There are so many puns folks, but fighting pain and still looking fabulous is no joke!

Everybody AND her MOM are becoming designers. No really...

Ella M — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:59:05 EDT

This is not a renewal of the old joke, although it's only partially true. You know it's more fright than funny, partly because some famous new designers don't even design. It seems every singer, or not, wants to be a designer. And then famous non-singers think they can sing. Why does everyone whose name is up in lights think they can design?

Fashion bloggers, too, are crafters, entrepreneurs and even designers. But we work hard to forge our own ways, usually sewing to boot. This is what Ella is doing, but I won't talk too much about my line that's merely upcoming. ;-)

Back to those spoiled celebs...

A while ago Lindsay Lohan debuted her leggings collection, under her own label, and recently started collaborating with another. Now her mom, Dina Lohan, has previewed her shoe collection. It's named after their famous surname in an oh-so mindless, embarrassing take on a pun, "Shoe-Han".

And you guessed it, Dina won't be designing, only having some part in the creative direction. Oh boy...

The name just makes me think of more puns relating to the slang term, "ho". It can be combined with so many other words that would suit Dina. In a way it makes talking about, if not wearing, "her" shoes oh so versatile.

Now for that peep-toe boot that wonderful role model tried on for the cameras - it's no more stylish than a cast.

You'll be sure not to purchase a pair for your own mommy dearest this Spring, when the line debuts around Mother's Day.

Inspirations: #081809 ; Unique "Buckles", "Tassels" & Pockets, too!

Ella M — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:55:13 EDT

Bags both by Sharif. Shop Sharif bags at HSN.

Rockin' Style? MTV Launches Reality Show for Emerging Designer - Will You Like It?

Ella M — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:15:53 EDT

No, this "rockin'" fashionista is not Ashlee Simpson getting another MTV reality show and a fashion line (does she have one already? Oh she will - of t-shirts or of whatnots). She just happens to be a lookalike but yes, she is filling the fashionable shoes of sorts of Lauren Conrad on the network.

This is Jazmin Whitley, emerging (obviously about to become famous) fashion designer, not rockstar. And she has a new show coming to MTV; "House of Jazmin". I supposed the former music station at least likes rockstar style? That skirt is nearly identical to a Forever 21 item I thought looked so "on stage". But anyway... Jazmin Whitley's line is actually called, Li Carli. Inexplicably non-eponymous - I mean her (real??!!) name is Jazmin (what ze-flaire) and she went with something that sound's like another chica's name?

I mean for me, I even go by "Ella" partly because too many heard "Lauren-Noelle" and asked me if there was no "L" in "Lauren". LE SIGH. Ha ha.

But the thing is, the show is named after her name. Guh.

Apparently "Li Carli" is her grandparents' last name. (By the way, mine have the name Hominsky, sounds so ... professional.)

Do I sound jealous that this 20-year-old girl was picked for this major show on design? ... First in what will likely be a series of rotating stars, like those "love" disasters the channel puts out. Nah, how could I be chosen at this point, after all? No really.

Maybe I'm just annoyed because she seems really unintelligent (ok, moronic) in her interview to W. What'd she say? Oh "like ..." x21.

The show will likely be painful. And unlikeable. And that could bring the jealousy. Although I think that's what reality shows are supposed to be. No I mean the painful part.

Igh. I would so love to check it out just for the style factor. I watched The Hills just to try to catch glimpses of LVs, Chanels and Balenciagas. Sometimes. (No I only watched it sometimes.) So maybe it's just a good thing that I don't have cable - not until the big Fall season starts. I'm saving money.

Because I don't have such a big, well-paying job.

Yet. ;-)

Can't you tell I'm in a great mood? I'm so happy.

OK I'm a dork. :-)

Upcoming: Chanel's "Coco Cocoon" Handbag Line - Gallery

Ella M — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:25:01 EDT

We've gathered allllll the photos fit-to-print that we could of the new Chanel purse collection, "Coco Cocoon" coming out in October. That's October 10th 2009, precisely. It's the same line as featured in the Lily Allen advertisements, but we've posted her pictures in another gallery.

Enjoy!

(Photo credits: 1, 2, 3)

Chanel, or Karl Largerfeld, Cleaned Up Lily Allen

Ella M — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:34:55 EDT

Karl can put Chanel on Lily Allen, but can we really put Lily Allen in Chanel, if you know what I mean? What I mean is, could this makeover stick on the girl who refuses to not sunbathe topless what-seems daily in her classless crusade nearing as bad as Amy Winehouse?

That is why Lily Allen as a model for Chanel surprises me. Yes, Lily is a huge Chanel fan, uh--so are witless teenagers. The difference is this recording artist has money, and those teens aren't truly carrying Chanel with their pink cambon totes.

So what I mean is anyone can be a fan, but that doesn't mean The Man will "fan" back. The singer makes a cute model of some sort---Allen is quite beautiful and a great writer with a great mind, but ... girl needs work.

Or - usually. One couldn't tell from these amazing photographs.

Here Allen advertises and sports Chanel's upcoming handbag collection, "Coco Cocoon" due this October 10th (2009).

Stay tuned for a gallery devoted to the bags next week!

Photography by Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's designer, himself.

Credit: Collective of the Interwebs & I-D Magazine

A Soft & Fluffier Side: Visual Poetry: Chanel

Ella M — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:42:04 EDT

Mixing so many wonderful lovelies of the girl world. Softness, florals, pink, & a crafty look/feel with knits.

When I was writing about the sizing "scandal" I see over Lara Stone's sensationalized popularity - I couldn't help but calm down viewing this shot of Stone in Chanel. (In our W Magazine / Lara Stone gallery.)

There's also more on the softer side in another of Stone's differences. Forget a size six amongst a 00 world, Lara's natural blondness is showcasing other alternative beauty aspects. It's not that she has no eyebrows, but like a few other women, she has very pale hair, even there. Now these girls have their own model mirror, which is always beautiful.

We may laugh and poke at other famous people ditching their brows on purpose - but Lara is just natural - even in her near-skintone eyebrows. So girls who grew up anxious over this different feature of their own, there may be a separate calm for them amongst the buzz.

For capelet purchasing info, contact Chanel.

Photo Source: Cyana Trend Land

Bag News Update: Rebecca Minkoff "I Do" Collection

Ella M — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:42:53 EDT

*Updated* An update on the announcement of Rebecca Minkoff's wedding and upcoming "I Do" collection. We blogged about her Twitter reveal a few weeks ago. Now, the new Mrs. has said her own I Dos and even big thank-yous to her bridesmaids with the pictured bag as a gift. This bag shape called "The Clutch" may be a hint at her upcoming "I Do" line, but apparently those bags will be made-to-order with any fabric - and it's unclear of the shape/style name. The fresh-from-the-aisle designer is even heading a bit back-to-the-future with the very *indie* approach of allowing customers to ship exact fabric. Sounds trés haute couture, but I must hope without the price---as short runs get very expensive. The company usually offers more modestly priced purses, so this is indeed intriguing.

The news comes straight from her best friend, Maid of Honor and Lucky Magazine staffer, all-in-one;

"...Soon you'll be able to get one, or at least one similar to it: Rebecca has a new bridal line in the works, called the "I do" collection: brides-to-be will be able to customize an RM bag (minimum [run of] 8) for the women in their wedding party--you'll even be able to send Rebecca the exact fabric you want them made in. How completely awesome! Stay tuned to luckymag.com for news of the exact launch date!"

We've set up our own SMS alert (and I'm ever glued to my iPhone) so we should be quick to learn this news, which we plan to at least post to my Twitter, or more for a longer story.

Similar Rebecca Minkoff bags:

Breaking Handbag News: Possible Bridal Bag, Possibly Sassy?

Ella M — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:18:45 EDT

Rebecca Minkoff tweeted that she's in Italy for her wedding tomorrow. And she's planning to celebrate her newlywed status by introducing a collection titled, "I Do".

By then, she will have *did*, and congrats!

Dotted Mesh Petticoat Skirt - Sold Out	Motif 56 black woven detail 'Zena' stretch belt - Sold Out
Oversized Buckle Belt - Sold Out	Gucci Interlocking G Buckle Belt - Sold Out
Round Enamel Buckle Stretch Belt - Sold Out	City Style Wide Elastic Braided Belt - Sold Out
Beltworks black patent and raffia stretch wide belt - Sold Out	Christian Dior black CD plaque double buckle belt - Sold Out
Apt. 9® Stretch Belt - Sold Out	Jack Rabbit Collection Icon Belt - Sold Out
Calvin Klein black calf hair wide belt - Sold Out	Melamed Ribbon Bow Waist Belt - Sold Out
Fashion Focus black leather ring buckle belt - Sold Out	B-low The Belt black leather 'Cleo' sash belt - Sold Out
Yves Saint Laurent Patent Leather Belt Black - Sold Out	B-low The Belt black leather bow detail 'Marcy' belt - Sold Out